The Council is taking new steps to tackle anti-social behaviour in six city centre car parks.
Car park users have reported incidents related to alcohol and drug use, public disturbance and intimidation, as well as using stairwells as toilets and the Council has been working with the police to tackle these issues.
Now the Council is looking to step up its action, with plans for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to cover the Napier Street, Regent Street, Mayflower East, Theatre Royal, Western Approach and Colin Campbell Court car parks.
The PSPO is designed to make sure people do not occupy, loiter, or congregate with other people for any other reason other than to park a car, motorbike or moped.
The PSPO will aim to crack down on anti-social and intimidating behaviour, such as people gathering or loitering with others, large car meets congregating and motorbikes racing and causing a noise disturbance.
It will give police and designated officers the power to move people on if they are causing a nuisance within these car parks and, as part of the preparation work for the order, the Council has to consult with residents and businesses to see what they think.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “People should feel safe in our car parks. Full stop. They should be able to come and go from their cars without worry or witnessing unpleasant behaviour.
“This order is another tool we and the police can use to make people feel safer – but we want to know what residents and businesses think about this.”
Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, which represents the interests of more than 500 businesses, said: “We fully support the Council in its efforts to make our city centre car parks safer and more welcoming. This order will make it easier to take the necessary action.”
To enact a PSPO, there needs to be evidence that the anti-social behaviour is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living or working nearby and that the behaviour is unreasonable and persistent.
We are working with the police and agencies across the city to understand the effects of the proposed rules on all those that are impacted and the next steps after the consultation period ends.
The consultation closes on Wednesday 7 May.